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United States Patent |
5,104,658
|
Hagarty
|
April 14, 1992
|
Collapsible arthropodicidally-active foam matrix and method of
manufacture
Abstract
A novel arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter is disclosed. Such a
composition-of-matter comprises an aqueous lower alkanol solvent, and a
toxicant as well as an emulsifier, both contained within the solvent. The
amount of emulsifier, relative to the amount of solvent, is effective for
forming a foam matrix that is able to collapse after a predetermined
period of time thereby to form an arthropodicidally-active film. Also
disclosed are methods for producing such an arthropodicidally-active film.
Inventors:
|
Hagarty; John D. (Racine, WI)
|
Assignee:
|
S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (Racine, WI)
|
Appl. No.:
|
429668 |
Filed:
|
October 31, 1989 |
Current U.S. Class: |
424/405; 424/43; 424/45; 424/409 |
Intern'l Class: |
A01N 025/06 |
Field of Search: |
424/405,409,45,43
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2754243 | Jul., 1956 | Gysla et al. | 424/45.
|
2903478 | Sep., 1959 | Lambrech | 424/45.
|
3042703 | Jul., 1962 | Schegk et al. | 424/45.
|
3076744 | Feb., 1963 | Geary | 424/45.
|
3111539 | Nov., 1963 | Bocker | 424/45.
|
3244586 | Apr., 1966 | Rigterink | 424/45.
|
3303091 | Feb., 1967 | Marlander | 424/45.
|
3524911 | Aug., 1970 | Leavitt | 424/45.
|
3591662 | Jul., 1971 | Lorenz et al. | 424/45.
|
3716600 | Feb., 1973 | Magee | 558/178.
|
3736338 | May., 1973 | Gates et al. | 424/45.
|
3791983 | Feb., 1974 | Maierson | 424/45.
|
3816610 | Jun., 1974 | Lusby | 424/84.
|
3818047 | Jun., 1974 | Henrick | 424/45.
|
3833635 | Sep., 1974 | Henrick | 424/45.
|
3845172 | Oct., 1974 | Magee | 424/45.
|
3865874 | Feb., 1975 | Henrick | 562/582.
|
3970584 | Jul., 1976 | Hart et al. | 424/45.
|
4286020 | Aug., 1981 | Himel et al. | 428/407.
|
4439342 | Mar., 1984 | Albanese | 424/43.
|
4889710 | Dec., 1989 | Hagarty | 424/45.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
596091 | Feb., 1961 | BE.
| |
594669 | Mar., 1961 | BE.
| |
1116656 | Nov., 1961 | DE.
| |
2538470 | Aug., 1978 | DE.
| |
45-11719 | Apr., 1970 | JP | 424/45.
|
48-10205 | Apr., 1973 | JP | 424/43.
|
48-10536 | Apr., 1973 | JP | 424/45.
|
54-23123 | Feb., 1979 | JP | 424/45.
|
57-64601 | Apr., 1982 | JP.
| |
8501876 | May., 1985 | WO | 424/43.
|
1107140 | Mar., 1968 | GB.
| |
Other References
The Merck Index, 10th Edition, published 1983, Entry Nos. 25, 1035, 1766,
2167, 2968, 3125, 3470, 3910, 3927, 5111, 5150, 5859, 7251, 7372, and
7737.
Pesticides: Theory and Application by George W. Ware, published 1983.
McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents, pp. 244, 271, 272, and 287-290.
|
Primary Examiner: Lee; Lester L.
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This new patent application is a continuation-in-part of my
presently-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 339,565 filed 17 Apr. 1989
(now abandoned), which, in turn, is itself a continuation-in-part, of my
U.S. application Ser. No. 922,926, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,710 filed 24
Oct. 1986, which is a continuation of my prior U.S. application Ser. No.
727,932 filed 26 Apr. 1985 (now abandoned), the benefit of which is now
claimed for purposes of priority pursuant to 35 USC .sctn. 120.
Claims
I claim:
1. An arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter comprising:
10 to 60 parts-by-weight of an aqueous C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 lower alkanol
solvent;
a toxicant contained within the solvent; and
an effective amount of an emulsifier also contained within the solvent and
present in an amount of at least 0.5 parts-by-weight, for forming a foam
matrix that is able to collapse into a film after about 3 seconds to about
2 minutes subsequent to formation of the foam matrix, thereby forming an
arthropodicidally-active film, wherein the arthropodicidally-active film
is characterized as being water-soluble, and wherein the
arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter is further characterized as
being an oil-in-water emulsion prior to formation of the foam matrix.
2. The arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of claim 1 wherein
the aqueous lower alkanol solvent additionally contains an attractant.
3. The arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of claim 1 wherein
the lower alkanol is ethanol.
4. The arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of claim 1 further
comprising a propellant.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
My present invention is generally directed to an arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter and to its method of manufacture. My novel
composition-of-matter, as formed initially, is characterized as a foam
matrix. After a predetermined period of time, the foam matrix "breaks" (or
"collapses"), thereby producing an arthropodicidally-active film. Still
more particularly, my novel arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter
is water-soluble.
For purposes of my present invention, I shall use the term "arthropod",
which is generally understood by those skilled in the art of "pest"
control as connoting any member of a large group of invertebrate animals
with jointed legs and segmented bodies. More particularly, I shall use
this entomologically-known term, "arthropod", in its "generic" sense so as
to include arachnids, crustaceans, insects, and myriapods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One's home is one's castle; and most people do not wish to share their
castles with tiny, crawling pests such as ants, centipedes, pill bugs or
spiders. Indeed, ridding one's home of small, crawling pests of these and
other sorts can at times become a matter of concern, and effectively (i.e.
totally) ridding one's home of such pests can thus pose a problem.
Furthermore, with regard to any pesticide that is to be used in the home,
the pesticidal activity as well as the physical appearance (of such a
pesticidal composition) often plays an important role in a decision by
today's consumers as to whether to purchase one particular
pesticidally-effective product instead of that of another.
The amount of money spent annually on insect control by consumers is
moreover sizable and generally well known; and there is a noticeable
on-going quest for better, ever-more effective pesticides. Indeed, a wide
variety of prior-art pesticidal compositions are well known.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,610 to Lusby discloses a so-called
"palatable", foamed rodent-control material. Such a "rodent-control"
material, more particularly, is said to include a rodent control agent
such as rodenticide which, in turn, is interspersed throughout a so-called
"plastic foam cellular" structure. The plastic foam cellular structure is
said to be produced by combining isocyanate with a mixture consisting of a
polyol, a catalyst, a blowing agent, and a so-called "rodent-control"
agent. Lusby discloses that such ingredients, after being thus-combined,
react chemically and expand, up to fifty (50) or more times in volume, via
so-called "foaming action". Lusby further discloses that the result of
such a volume-expansion mechanism is the production of a low-density
substance (or mass), such as a "foam", which is said to be able to fill up
cavities and take their shape, whereupon such a mass quickly becomes
rigid.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,911 to Leavitt discloses an insecticidal composition.
More particularly, the Leavitt patent discloses that such an insecticidal
composition, which is preferably utilized as an aerosol-sprayable
composition, is characterized as being a so-called "substantially
non-aqueous" mixture which is said to include a toxic concentration of a
vaporizable insecticide as well as a so-called "substantially inert"
foam-forming carrier. After this particular insecticidal composition is
dispensed from its aerosol spray container, the foam-forming carrier is
said to form a so-called "stable" (i.e. "form-sustaining") foam. Leavitt
further discloses that the insecticide is released from such a foam
carrier in toxic concentrations at a so-called "controlled" rate over a
prolonged (or extended) period of time.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,584 to Hart et al., on the other hand, discloses a
personal-care foam-forming emulsion that is utilized to produce a foam
that is said to be "rich", "creamy", and "shiny". In particular, Hart et
al. specifically teach that such a rich, creamy, shiny foam can be
utilized to produce a variety of personal-care types of products. Still
more particularly, Hart et al. specifically teach that such a rich,
creamy, shiny foam can be utilized to produce an insect-repellent
personal-care type of product.
Hart et al. thus specifically teach that their type of foam products can
have certain "unique" characteristics which are said to be particularly
desirable in the personal-care field. In this regard, Hart et al.
particularly point out that their foam product will possess a so-called
"fine" or "delicate" bubble structure, and that such a foam product will
possess, as a result, certain desirable foam-density and foam-stiffness
personal-care types of qualities. Hart et al. also specifically teach,
however, that their particular foam products do not break down to form a
film.
German Pat. ("Offenlegungsschrift") No. 25 38 470 discloses a method for
producing a pesticidally-active composition-of-matter, characterized as an
attractant in admixture with a toxicant, wherein the composition-of-matter
is produced by a method whereby the attractant and toxicant are absorbed
into a piece of plastic foam by so-called "electrostatic" forces.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,076,744 to Geary discloses an insecticidal bait composition
which is said to include a so-called "polymerized aminoplast" as well as a
so-called "insect-edible" attractant in admixture with an organic
insecticide. The attractant and the insecticide, in turn, are said to be
"molecularly occluded" within the polymerized aminoplast. Geary further
discloses that the polymerized aminoplast, thus-containing the
above-mentioned "occluded" ingredients, can be crushed to a fine-particle
size and thereafter spread, for example, in insect-infested areas.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,983 to Maierson discloses so-called "aerosolizable"
web-forming, sprayable compositions. Such compositions, in particular, are
characterized as being self-supporting, three-dimensional webs of
randomly-associated, joined monofilaments ranging in average diameter of
from about 1 to 10 microns. Such so-called "web-forming" compositions are
said to be utilizable for encapsulating certain insecticidal ingredients.
Insecticidal ingredients, thus encapsulated, can then be used to combat
insects.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,020 to Himel et al. also discloses a process for the
encapsulation of insecticidal particles.
British Pat. No. 1,107,140 to Mitchell et al. discloses an
insecticidally-active oil-in-water emulsion which, after being dispensed
from an aerosol-type dispenser, preferably is so formulated as to produce
a spray rather than a foam.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,587 to Keith discloses a so-called "pheromone delivery"
system. In connection with such a system, one particular pheromone that is
utilized as an attractant (in an insect trap) for a particular type of
insect is contained within a polymeric film, wherein such a film is
characterized as being relatively water-insoluble.
In view of the many features and advantages of the above-discussed
prior-art pesticidal products as well as those prior-art pesticidal
products which are presently commercially-available, present-day consumers
nevertheless continue to seek ever-novel insecticidal
compositions-of-matter for a variety of reasons. For example, a sizable
population of the pesticide-purchasing public would like to be assured
that a particular pesticidal composition is present at certain
predetermined locations but would not like to be visually reminded of such
a presence.
Further, easy clean-up and disposal of a variety of now-inactive pesticidal
products is desirable. Pesticidally-active compositions are of course
known, in general, to possess a finite activity period. To facilitate
clean-up of compositions rendered pesticidally-inactive due to the passage
of time, it would be desirable that such a pesticidally-active composition
be water-soluble.
Still further, for the manufacturer of such a product, it would be
desirable that the ingredients be relatively low-cost; and it would be
even more desirable that such a product be relatively inexpensive to
manufacture as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, I have discovered a relatively low-cost method of preparing a
novel pesticidally-active composition-of-matter. The three essential
ingredients, moreover, are individually relatively low cost as well.
These three ingredients include (1) an aqueous lower alkanol solvent, (2) a
toxicant, and (3) an emulsifier. My novel pesticidally-active
composition-of-matter is characterized as a pesticidally-active surface
coating or film. Such a film is produced by a method which comprises
preparing a pesticidally-active composition-of-matter which, when formed
initially, is characterized as a foam matrix. Such a foam matrix initially
takes on a three-dimensional shape. However, a predetermined period of
time after such a foam matrix is thus-formed, my pesticidally-active
composition-of-matter is specifically so formulated as to "break" or
collapse, thereby producing a pesticidally-active film.
Still further, and depending upon the relative amounts as well as the
specific types of ingredients that are utilized in the manufacture of the
novel pesticidally-active composition-of-matter of my present invention,
such a film can be so formulated as to be pesticidally-active for weeks
(or even months), as desired.
Furthermore, and as was briefly mentioned above, my novel
composition-of-matter is water-soluble, a markedly desirable
characteristic or feature, which enables easy clean-up and/or disposal of
my novel composition-of-matter after it is rendered inactive due to the
passage of time.
Moreover, my novel pesticidally-active composition-of-matter has been found
to be suitable for controlling a wide variety of arthropods. For example,
and depending upon the relative amounts and particular types of
ingredients chosen, my novel composition-of-matter, as is shown
hereinbelow, can specifically be so formulated as to be effective for
controlling certain crustaceans (such as pill bugs or sow bugs), or
certain arachnids (such as spiders), or a wide variety of certain
well-known crawling insects (such as ants, cockroaches, earwigs,
silverfish and the like), or certain myriapods (such as millipedes and
centipedes), or certain combinations of these classes, i.e. arachnids,
crustaceans, insects and myriapods (within the phylum "arthropoda").
Still further, and in accordance with certain general principles and
features of my present invention, my novel composition-of-matter can
specifically be so formulated as to be effective for killing a wide
variety of arthropodic pests upon direct contact or upon ingestion (or
both), as desired. In other words, there are certain specific formulations
of my novel composition-of-matter which are effective so-called
"contact-type" arthropodicides, whereas there are certain other specific
formulations of my novel composition-of-matter which can be so formulated
as to be arthropod-edible and which are thus effective arthropodicides
upon ingestion by such pests.
My present invention is, accordingly, generally directed to an
arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter and to its method of
manufacture. Such a composition-of-matter, as was briefly mentioned above,
is characterized as including a specified aqueous lower alkanol solvent,
and an emulsifier as well as a toxicant, each contained within the
specified solvent. The amount of emulsifier, relative to the amount of
solvent, is effective for purposes of forming a foam matrix that is able
to "break" (or collapse) after a predetermined period of time. Such a foam
matrix, moreover, is water soluble. The relative weight amounts of
emulsifier and solvent, still further, are effective for causing such a
foam matrix to thus "break" or collapse, after the predetermined period of
time has passed, thereby producing an arthropodicidally-active
water-soluble film. Furthermore, my novel composition-of-matter can
specifically be so formulated such that the film is either transparent or
translucent, as desired.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While my present invention is susceptible to embodiment in various forms,
there are hereinafter described, in detail, a variety of
presently-preferred embodiments of my present invention. The detailed
description presented hereinbelow is therefore to be considered as but an
exemplification of my present invention without limitation to the various
specific embodiments disclosed and discussed.
As was briefly previously mentioned, my present invention is generally
directed to an arthropodically-active composition-of-matter and to its
method of manufacture. Such a composition-of-matter is characterized as
including an aqueous, lower-alkanol solvent such as a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4
alcohol solvent. The aqueous, lower-alkanol solvent is about 10 to about
60 parts-by-weight lower alkanol, preferably about 25 to about 50
parts-by-weight lower alkanol, and more preferably about 35 to about 45
parts-by-weight lower alkanol, based upon one-hundred (100)
parts-by-weight of the arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of
my present invention. A preferred lower alkanol is ethanol. (All numerical
"parts" or percentages expressed herein shall refer to weight percentages,
unless stated otherwise.) Water is generally present in an amount of about
25 to about 80 parts, preferably about 40 parts to about 60 parts, and
more preferably about 45 parts to about 55 parts, based upon one-hundred
(100) parts of the arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter.
More particularly, my novel arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter
is characterized as further including an emulsifier as well as a toxicant,
each contained within the aqueous, lower-alkanol solvent.
As an optional ingredient, my arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter can further include an attractant.
Attractants suitable for purposes of inclusion in the composition-of-matter
of my present invention are, moreover, generally well-known to those
skilled in the art.
As was mentioned above, my novel composition-of-matter is initially
characterized as a foam matrix that ultimately collapses to form a film.
(Prior to formation of the foam matrix, the arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter of my present invention is characterized as an
oil-in-water emulsion.)
Any particular material that is (1) compatible with the film and (2)
specifically attractive to a particular arthropod that is to be targeted
for extermination or control may be employed as such an attractant.
Accordingly, when employed for use against a particular arthropod, any
edible material that is known to be particularly attractive to such an
arthropod can of course be selected.
For sweet-loving ants and other sweet-loving insects such as cockroaches,
for example, the edible attractant can be sucrose, fructose, glucose,
maltose, honey, molasses, brown sugar, maple sugar, fruit syrup, corn
syrup, maple syrup, and beet syrup, as well as pulverized raisins and
other pulverized sweet fruits, if pulverization renders the particles
sufficiently small.
In particular, one corn sweetener that is presently commercially available
from Archer Daniels Midland Company (of Decatur, Ill.) under the "Corn
Sweet 90" brand name and which includes about ninety (90) parts
corn-derived fructose has been found to be particularly suitable in
controlling various cockroaches. Other types of insects may prefer
pulverized cereals, pulverized brans, or pulverized meals of various
origin. Still other types of insects such as fire ants seem to prefer
certain animal and/or vegetable oils and fats containing (or combined
with) certain proteins.
As still further examples of such edible materials, there may be mentioned
pulverized beef fat, pulverized bacon, pulverized fish meals and oils,
pulverized eggs, pulverized meats, various pulverized meals, pulverized
"tankage" (i.e., a known substance that is characterized as including
about 50% protein, including meat scraps and bone scraps), butter, bacon
drippings, lard, various pulverized vegetable protein extracts and
hydrolyzates, pulverized dried brewer's solubles, pulverized tallow,
pulverized cottonseed, pulverized soybean, pulverized corn, pulverized
coconut, pulverized olive, pulverized palm, pulverized poppyseed,
pulverized nuts, certain vegetable oils (such as soybean oil), various
pulverized extracts (such as vanilla extract), and the like, as well as
mixtures of these various attractants.
Such an attractant, which is (as was mentioned above) optional, may be
employed in the arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter in any
desired proportion, generally ranging from about 0.1 parts to about 10
parts, preferably ranging from about 2 parts to about 8 parts, and more
preferably ranging from about 4 parts to about 7 parts, per one-hundred
(100) parts of the arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter.
Toxicants suitable for purposes of inclusion in the composition-of-matter
of my present invention are also well-known to those skilled in the art.
Moreover, and as was also mentioned above, the pesticidally-active film
can include a toxicant having a delayed effect (which has been found to be
useful in controlling social insects such as ants), or the film can
include a toxicant having an immediate effect (which has been found to be
useful in controlling a wide variety of crawling arthropods). Such
well-known toxicants include, but are not limited to, a variety of
commercially-available organic compound-based toxicants, including
organophosphorus compounds, and carbamates as well as inorganic toxicants
and insect-growth regulators. (See, for example, "Pesticides: Theory and
Application", by George W. Ware, published 1983 by W. H. Freeman and
Company, hereby incorporated by reference.)
Accordingly, for purposes of my present invention, suitable
organophosphorus compounds include certain phosphates, phosphonothionates,
and phosphorothionates. For example, suitable, well-known organophosphorus
compounds, useful as toxicants in the present invention, include, but are
not limited to: acetylphosphoramidothioic acid O,S-dimethyl ester, also
known by its so-called "trivial" name of Acephate, and commercially
available under the "Ortho" and "Orthene" brand names (see also U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,716,600 and 3,845,172, both to Chevron); phosphorothioic acid
O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) ester, also known by its
trivial name of "Chlorpyrifos", and commercially available under the
"Dursban", "Lorsban", and "Pyrinex" brand names (see also U.S. Pat. No.
3,244,586 to Dow); phosphorothioic acid O,O-diethyl
O-[6-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-4-pyrimidinyl] ester, also known by its
trivial name "Dimpylate", and commercially available under the "Basudin",
"Diazinon", "Diazol", "Garden Tox", "Sarolex", and "Spectracide" brand
names (see also U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,243 to Geigy); phosphorothioic acid
O,O-dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl) ester, also known by its trivial
name of "Fenitrothion", and commercially available under the "Accothion",
"Cyfen", "Cyten", "Folithion", "MEP", "Metathion", and "Sumithion" brand
names (see also Belgian Pat. No. 594,669 to Sumitomo and Belgian Pat. No.
596,091 to Bayer); phosphorothioic acid O,O-dimethyl
O-[3-methyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl] ester, also known by its trivial name of
"Fenthion", and commercially available under the "Baycid", "Baytex",
"Entex", "Lebaycid", "Mercaptophos", "Queletox", "Spotton", "Talodex", and
"Tiguvon" brand names (see also German Pat. No. 1,116,656 as well as U.S.
Pat. No. 3,042,703, both to Bayer; see also Japanese Pat. No. 15,130,
which issued in 1964 to Sumitomo);
4-ethoxy-7-phenyl-3,5-dioxa-6-aza-4-phosphaoct-6-ene-8-nitrile 4-sulfide,
also known by its trivial name of "Phoxim", and commercially available
under the "Baythion", "Sebacil", and "Volaton" brand names (see also U.S.
Pat. No. 3,591,662 to Bayer); and the O,O-dimethyl analog of
O-[2-(diethylamino)-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl] phosphorothioic acid
O,O-diethyl ester, also known by its trivial name of "Pirimiphos-methyl",
and commercially available under the "Actellic", "Blex", and "Silo San"
brand names. (See, e.g., entry numbers 25, 2167, 2968, 3910, 3927, 7251
and 7372, respectively, in "The Merck Index", 10th ed., published in 1983
by Merck & Co., Inc.)
For purposes of further elucidating the various principles and aspects of
my present invention, suitable carbamates include, but are not limited to:
2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxol-4-ol methylcarbamate, also known by its
trivial name of "Bendiocarb", and commercially available under the "Ficam"
brand name (see also U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,338 to Fisons); 1-naphthalenol
methylcarbamate, also known by its trivial name of "Carbaryl", and
commercially available under the "Arylam", "Carylderm", "Dicarbam",
"Seffein", and "Sevin" brand names (see also U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,478 to
Union Carbide); and 2-(1-methylethoxy)phenol methylcarbamate, also known
by its trivial name of "Propoxur", and commercially available under the
"Baygon", "Bifex", "Blattanex", "InvisiGard", "Propyon", "Sendran",
"Suncide", and "Unden" brand names (see also U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,539 to
Bayer). See, e.g., entry Nos. 1035, 1766 and 7737, respectively, in "The
Merck Index", 10th ed.
For purposes of still further elucidating the various principles and
aspects of my present invention, suitable inorganic toxicants include, but
are not limited to, various well-known stomach poisons, such as the
"arsenicals" (i.e., any one of a variety of well-known arsenic-containing
compounds), certain heavy metal-containing compounds, and certain
fluorine-containing compounds, as well as boric acid, silica gel and
sodium borate. (See, e.g., page 62 of "Pesticides: Theory and Application"
by George W. Ware.)
Insect-growth regulators (IGRs), occasionally referred to by those skilled
in the art as "biorationals", are rather specific chemicals which are
presently believed to be generally environmentally "safe". Moreover,
certain ones of the presently-known IGRs tend to closely resemble certain
biological, organic-type chemicals produced by certain insects and/or
plants.
IGRs are known to function by altering the growth and development of a wide
assortment of arthropods. The observed effects of IGRs upon metamorphosis,
upon reproduction, upon behavior and upon embryonic, larval and nymphal
development have moreover been reported in the literature. (See, e.g.,
page 62 of "Pesticides: Theory and Application" by George W. Ware.) A
number of IGRs, found to be effective when utilized in very minute
quantities, appear to have no undesirable effects on humans and wildlife.
(Id.) Furthermore, it is well known that IGRs are typically nonspecific;
and as a result, they are known to affect not only the target species of
arthropod but also a variety of other arthropods as well. (Id.)
Accordingly, for purposes of my present invention, suitable insect growth
regulators (IGRs) include, but are not limited to:
N-[[(4-chlorophenyl)amino]carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide (a known
chitin-synthesis inhibitor), also known by its trivial name of
"Diflubenzuron", and commercially available under the "Difluron" and
"Dimilin" brand names; 2,3,14,22,25-pentahydroxycholest-7-en-6-one
(C.sub.27 H.sub.44 O.sub.6) and
2,3,14,20,22,25-hexahydroxycholest-7-en-6-one (C.sub.27 H.sub.44 O.sub.7),
also known by their trivial names of "alpha-Ecdysone" and "beta-Ecdysone",
respectively, which are well-known insect-molting hormones that are used
for the purpose of controlling the pupation of a wide variety of insects;
7-ethyl-9-(3-ethyl-3-methyloxiranyl)-3-methyl-2,6-nonadienoic acid methyl
ester (C.sub.18 H.sub.30 O.sub.3) and
cis-10,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-trans,trans-2,6-tridecadienoic acid
methyl ester (C.sub.17 H.sub.28 O.sub.3), both generally described by the
trivial term "Juvenile Hormone" (JH), each more particularly recognized
(by those skilled in the art) by the abbreviations "C-18 JH" and "C-17
JH", respectively; 3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4dodecadienoic acid 2-propynyl
ester, also known by its trivial name of "Kinoprene", and commercially
available under the "Enstar" brand name (see also U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,635
to Zoecon); and 11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dodecanoic acid
1-methylethyl ester, also known by its trivial name of " Methoprene", and
commercially available under the "Altosid", "Apex", "Kabat", and "Manta"
brand names (see also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,818,047 and 3,865,874, both to
Zoecon). (See, e.g., entry Nos. 3125, 3470, 5111, 5150 and 5859,
respectively, in "The Merck Index", 10th ed.; and pages 62-64 of
"Pesticides: Theory and Application" by G. W. Ware.) The term "Juvenile
Hormone", as used in this application, includes: the so-called "JH mimic"
(JHM) and "JH analog" (JHA) IGRs, as well as their broader synonyms, the
so-called "juvenoids" and "juvegens". (See, e.g., page 62 of "Pesticides:
Theory and Application" by Ware.)
Still further, and in addition to what was specifically identified
hereinabove, there are certain other well-known toxicants which are
particularly effective in controlling a variety of arthropods (except
certain ants), in general, and which are suitable for purposes of the
present invention. Such toxicants include, but are not limited to,
cypermethrin, certain other synthetic pyrethroids (such as permethrin,
deltamethrin, alphamethrin, and cyphenothrin and the like), and natural
pyrethrum. Natural pyrethrins, sold as 20 weight percent actives, are
commercially available from the so-called "Py Board" of Kenya. One such
synthetic pyrethroid, known by its brand name of "Cyfluthrin", is
commercially available from Mobay Chemical Corp. of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Furthermore, and as was briefly parenthetically noted immediately above,
most pyrethroids--which have been observed as being repellent to most
ants, in general, at even minute concentrations--would of course not be
included in the formulations of my novel composition-of-matter when such
is to be used to control ants. (Cyfluthrin, as the data appearing further
hereinbelow suggests, is one exception.)
Such toxicants, suitable for purposes of my present invention, may be
employed in my arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter in any
desired proportion, generally ranging from about 0.01 parts to about 5.0
parts, preferably ranging from about 0.25 parts to about 1.25 parts, and
more preferably ranging from about 0.5 parts to about 1 part, per
one-hundred (100) parts of my novel arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter.
One particularly suitable toxicant, well-known by its brand name of
"Sulfluramide" and characterized as a fluorinated sulfonamide, is
commercially available from the Griffin Corporation of Valdosta, Ga.
As still other optional ingredients, the novel arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter of my present invention can further include a
foam-matrix stabilizer or a foam-matrix de-stabilizer, a film stabilizer,
an emulsion stabilizer, or any combination of such stabilizers, as
desired. Stabilizers of these sorts are well known to those skilled in the
art.
As was briefly mentioned above, one characteristic of my present invention
is that it is an arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter which,
when formed initially, is a foam matrix. Prior to formation of such a foam
matrix, the arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of my present
invention is, moreover, characterized as an "oil-in-water" emulsion (i.e.,
a so-called "water-out" emulsion).
More particularly, such a composition-of-matter, as was also briefly
mentioned above, includes an emulsifier in its aqueous, lower-alkanol
solvent. The emulsifier is preferably of the so-called "nonionic" charge
type. The amount of emulsifier in the solvent is effective for forming a
foam matrix that is able to collapse after a predetermined period of time.
For example, and depending on the relative amounts of ingredients that are
utilized in forming one particular arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter which is in accordance with the principles of my
present invention, such a foam matrix is generally able to "break" or
collapse into an arthropodicidally-active film within a range of about 3
seconds to about 2 minutes. Further, the relative amounts of emulsifier
and aqueous, lower-alkanol solvent are so chosen as to be effective for
causing the thus-formed foam matrix to collapse after passage of the
predetermined time period, for thereby forming the
arthropodicidally-active film. Thus, by design, the foam matrix is
specifically formulated to be an "unstable" foam.
My arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter can, moreover, be readily
dispensed from various types of known dispensing systems and
equipment--e.g., from spray guns, portable aerosol containers, cans and
the like--to provide an advantageous way of applying the
arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of my present invention
into a variety of void spaces including, but not limited to, cracks and
crevices, beneath doors and around windows, along the underside surfaces
of countertops, tables and chairs, and in pipe, drains, and other conduit.
Prior to formation of the above-discussed foam matrix, the
arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of my invention is
characterized (as was briefly mentioned above) as a so-called "water-out"
emulsion (i.e., an oil-in-water emulsion). Suitable emulsifiers (or
surfactants), in accordance with the principles of my present invention
include, but are not limited to, certain ones of the so-called "block
polymers", the so-called "ethoxylated alcohols", the so-called
"ethoxylated alkyl phenols", the so-called "ethoxylated amines" (and/or
"amides"), the so-called "ethoxylated" and "propoxylated" fatty acids, the
so-called "ethoxylated fatty esters" (and "oils") as well as the "fatty
esters", the so-called "glycerol esters" and "glycol esters" as well as
the lecithins (and the lecithin derivatives), the so-called
"monoglycerides" (and their derivatives), certain phosphate derivatives as
well as certain phosphate esters, the so-called "sorbitan" derivatives,
and the so-called "sucrose esters" (and their derivatives). Emulsifiers of
these types are commercially available and are well known to those skilled
in the art. (See, e.g., pages 287-290 of the 1986 North American Edition
of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers & Detergents", published by the McCutcheon
Division of the MC Publishing Co. of Glen Rock, N.J.) One particularly
suitable emulsifier, well-known by its brand name of "Triton X-100" and
characterized as a liquid nonionic octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol having
an HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) value of 13.5, is commercially
available from Rohm & Haas Company of Philadelphia, Pa. Yet another
particularly suitable emulsifier, well-known by its brand name of "Triton
X-193" and characterized as a liquid nonionic/anionic blend, is also
commercially available from Rohm & Haas Co. Still another particularly
suitable emulsifier, well-known by its brand name of "APG 500" and
characterized as a glycoside, is commercially available from Horizon
Chemical, a division of Staley Continental Incorporated of Decatur, Ill.
Yet another particularly suitable emulsifier, well-known by its brand name
of "Span 20" and characterized as a non-ionic, liquid sorbitan monolaurate
having an HLB value of 8.6, is commercially available from ICI Americas,
Incorporated, of Wilmington, Del.
The emulsifier is generally present in an amount of about 0.10 parts to
about 5 parts, preferably about 0.5 parts to about 2 parts, and more
preferably about 0.75 parts to about 1.5 parts, per one-hundred (100)
parts of my novel, foamable arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter.
In addition to the above-discussed optional attractant ingredient, the
foamable arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of my present
invention can further optionally include a propellant for causing the
emulsifier-containing arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter
(which is characterized as an "oil-in-water" emulsion) to produce the
unstable, arthropodicidally-active foam matrix. The unstable foam matrix
of my present invention is thus able to collapse, after passage of the
above-mentioned predetermined period of time, thereby forming an
arthropodicidally-active film. Such a film, as was also briefly mentioned
above, is water-soluble.
When the foamable, water-soluble, arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter of my present invention further includes the
optional propellant ingredient, the propellant is generally present in an
amount of about 5 parts to about 25 parts, preferably about 10 parts to
about 15 parts, and more preferably about 8 parts to about 12 parts, based
upon one-hundred (100) parts of the propellant-containing, foamable,
arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of my present invention.
Normally, the optional propellant ingredient is so chosen as to be
immiscible with the aqueous phase; but it need not be. In particular,
certain water-soluble propellants, such as dimethyl ether (DME), are
suitable for purposes of my present invention. Additional suitable
water-soluble or partially water-soluble propellants include nitrous oxide
(which is moderately soluble in water), as well as carbon dioxide (which
is soluble in water in only very minute concentration).
Additional suitable propellants, for purposes of my present invention,
include, but are not limited to, certain liquefied and compressed gases.
Suitable liquefied gases, for purposes of my present invention, include a
wide variety of known hydrocarbon propellants (such as various C.sub.1 to
C.sub.4 hydrocarbons) and certain halogenated propellants (such as the
various commercially-available halogenated propellants collectively known
in the art generally as "Freon").
Illustrative of the preferred hydrocarbon propellants are propane,
n-butane, isobutane, and various mixtures thereof. Additional suitable
compressed gases, for purposes of the present invention, include air and
nitrogen.
One well-known presently preferred propellant, often referred to as "A-46"
by those skilled in the art, has a vapor pressure of about 46 pounds per
square inch gauge (psig) and comprises about 80 mole percent isobutane and
about 20 mole percent propane. Another well-known presently preferred
propellant, referred to as "A-31" by those skilled in the art, is
isobutane.
In addition to the above-identified ingredients, the
arthropodicidally-active composition-of-matter of my present invention can
further optionally include a fragrance, a microorganism growth inhibitor
(or so-called "preservative"), and/or a metal-corrosion inhibitor. One
such illustrative microorganism growth inhibitor (or preservative) is
formaldehyde. It can well be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
inclusion of a preservative and/or a metal-corrosion inhibitor may be
desirable, for a variety of reasons. One particularly suitable
preservative, well-known by its brand name of "Kathon", is commercially
available from Rohm & Haas Co. The arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter of my present invention can still further optionally
include a disinfectant agent, and/or a dye (or a pigment) to thus produce
a "colored" film, if desired.
Illustrative of a suitable metal-corrosion inhibitor, for purposes of my
present invention, is a compound selected from the group consisting of
sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite, and the combination that is characterized
as including both sodium benzoate and sodium nitrite.
My present invention will now be described in even greater detail by
reference to the following Examples which are presented hereinbelow for
illustrative purposes only and which are thus not intended to limit the
scope of my present invention whatsoever.
______________________________________
Example I: One Collapsible Foam
Ingredients Function Parts
______________________________________
Water Carrier 44.50
Ethanol (95%) Solvent 40.00
A-31 Propellant
10.00
Maltose Attractant
4.00
Triton X-100 Emulsifier
1.00
Dursban Toxicant 0.50
______________________________________
Procedure For Making the Collapsible Foam of Example I
The arthropodicidally-active collapsible foam of Example I was produced as
follows.
A weighed quantity of ethanol (95%) solvent was introduced into a beaker of
suitable size equipped with a stirrer. [The term "ethanol (95%)", as used
in connection with Example I (above) and subsequent examples, is
understood to mean 95 weight percent ethyl alcohol and 5 weight percent
water.] A weighed quantity of toxicant was then combined with the
beaker-contained solvent, utilizing moderate agitation, while slowly
heating to above room temperature (about 25 degrees Celsius). Next, a
weighed quantity of emulsifier was incorporated into the beaker-contained
ingredients, still utilizing moderate agitation and slowly heating the
beaker contents to about 45.degree. C. until a homogeneous solution was
obtained.
Separately, a weighed quantity of water was introduced into another beaker
of suitable size, also equipped with a stirrer. A weighed quantity of
attractant was then combined with the beaker-contained water, also
utilizing moderate agitation, while slowly heating to about 45.degree. C.
until a second homogeneous solution was obtained.
Next, both solutions were combined together, utilizing moderate agitation
to produce a mixture. The resultant mixture was then introduced into a
container, pressurized with a weighed quantity of propellant; and the
container was then sealed.
______________________________________
Example II: Another Collapsible Foam
Ingredients Function Parts
______________________________________
Water Carrier 49.29
Ethanol (95%) Solvent 40.00
A-31 Propellant 10.00
APG 500 Emulsifier 0.50
Cyfluthrin Toxicant 0.11
Kathon Preservative
0.10
______________________________________
Procedure For Making the Collapsible Foam of Example II
In the preparation of the collapsible foam of Example II the procedures of
Example I were substantially followed, except that (1) the solvent-based
solution further included a weighed quantity of preservative but no
attractant, (2) "APG 500" was used as the emulsifier in place of "Triton
X-100", and (3) "Cyfluthrin" was used as the toxicant in place of
"Dursban".
______________________________________
Example III: Yet Another Collapsible Foam
Ingredients Function Parts
______________________________________
Water Carrier 49.29
Ethanol (95%) Solvent 40.00
A-31 Propellant 10.00
Triton X-193 Emulsifier 0.50
Cyfluthrin Toxicant 0.11
Kathon Preservative
0.10
______________________________________
Procedure For Making the Collapsible Foam of Example III
In the preparation of the collapsible foam of Example III the procedures of
Example II were substantially followed, except that "Triton X-193" was
used in place of "APG 500" as the emulsifier.
______________________________________
Example IV: Still Another Collapsible Foam
Ingredients Function Parts
______________________________________
Water Carrier 47.90
Ethanol (95%) Solvent 40.00
A-31 Propellant 10.00
APG 500 Emulsifier 1.00
Sulfluramide Toxicant 1.00
Kathon Preservative
0.10
______________________________________
Procedure For Making the Collapsible Foam of Example IV
In the preparation of the collapsible foam of Example IV the procedures of
Example II were substantially followed, except that "Sulfluramide" was
used in place of "Cyfluthrin" as the toxicant and a commercially available
homogenizer was used, after all ingredients were combined, to blend the
ingredients.
Arthropodicidal Activity
The collapsible foams of Examples I and II were tested for effectiveness
against ants, centipedes, earwigs, firebrats (similar to silverfish),
German cockroaches (Blattella germanica), harvestmen (commonly known as
"daddy-longlegs"), millipedes, sowbugs, spiders, and ticks.
For each of Examples I and II, there was 100 percent mortality for each
type of arthropod recited immediately hereinabove, upon introduction of
each such arthropod, 4 hours following, and 24 hours following foam-matrix
collapse to form a residual film.
Effectiveness Procedure
A sufficient number of cylindrical, open-top containers, each measuring
about 8 centimeters (cm) in diameter by about 8.5 cm deep were obtained.
An amount of collapsible foam was then sprayed into each such cylindrical
container, from an aerosol container for a time period of about 0.5
seconds from a distance of about 30 cm. The container discharge rate for
the foam of Example I was about 1.85 grams (g) per sec.; and the container
discharge rate for the foam of Example II was about 1.90 g per sec. After
about 8 seconds (sec.), the foam of Example I was observed to collapse to
thus form a residual film; and after about 5 sec., the foam of Example II
was similarly observed to collapse to thus form a residual film.
A "treatment" is defined as testing the effectiveness of each such residual
film, at a specified time period after formation of such film, for a
particular arthropod. With respect to each of the above-recited anthropods
(except for the harvestmen), each such treatment was performed twice. The
above mortality data, therefore, is the average of two such replicates,
except for the harvestmen mortality data which consisted of only one
replicate.
What has been described herein is a novel arthropodicidally-active
composition-of-matter, and methods for producing the same. While my
present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that my present invention is not to be
limited to the preferred embodiments discussed herein. On the contrary,
alternatives, changes and/or modifications will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly,
such alternatives, changes and/or modifications are to be considered as
forming a part of my present invention insofar as such fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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